German energy company EnBW has revealed plans to import three billion cubic metres (cbm) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year via Hanseatic Energy Hub (HEH) in Stade.
EnBW booked long-term capacity at HEH’s terminal in the past few days as part of a sales process and expects to make a significant contribution to Germany’s security of supply with affordable energy.
According to the company, the imports will begin with commissioning of the terminal.
In addition, EnBW will have the option to move to ammonia as a hydrogen-based energy source at a later date.
This option is available to all HEH customers with a long-term contract of more than ten years.
The terminal, port, industrial park and connecting infrastructure at the hub are designed so that conversion can take place in a modular way. Main tanks, pipelines and other immovable parts will be commissioned ammonia-ready.
The foundations are already structurally designed to support a higher load. Additional space has also been reserved in the industrial park for separate ammonia tanks to support the market ramp-up from the outset.
Both EnBW and HEH said they are focusing on ammonia as a carrier for hydrogen since its handling, transport and storage have been proven over many years.
“At EnBW, we are working intensively on the transition from fossil fuels such as coal to non-fossil fuels such as hydrogen. The cooperation with the Hanseatic Energy Hub fits very well into our efforts to become climate-neutral by 2035” , explained Georg Stamatelopoulos , Member of the EnBW Board of Management and Chief Operating Officer of Sustainable Generation Infrastructure.
“Initially, we will ensure security of supply with the help of LNG imports from the terminal in Stade, and in the long term we will be able to substitute natural gas with climate-neutral green hydrogen.”
Johann Killinger , Hanseatic Energy Hub’s Managing Director, added: “Our modular system and commercial portfolio give us the necessary flexibility in Stade to make a significant contribution to security of supply and, in parallel, to accompany the hydrogen ramp-up in Germany .”
Originally planned for 2026, the construction of the Stade LNG terminal began ahead of schedule, in September this year.
The EU Commission also confirmed the exemption from regulation for the terminal. The exemption applies to an annual throughput capacity of 13.3 billion cbm of natural gas.
Shareholders in the HEH are the Buss Group, Fluxys and Partners Group, as well as Dow .
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